He has also seen two different validation stickers being used for late 2012 and on 2013 registrations. Version one is as it's been before with a 4-digit year (2012 - 2013), but he has seen two-digit validations (12 - 13) and there is now an explanation. The difference is the 4-digit version has the random serial numbers on the sticker that CA DMV has always used. The 2-digit sticker has the license plate number printed as the serial number. The 2-digit stickers are issued by the self-serve renewal vending machines at the DMV offices. Every other method of renewal uses the 4-digit stickers.

Isaac Wilson IV reports 2-digit printed validation stickers do NOT have the plate number on them; they have the same standard Lnnnnnnn format as the four-digit stickers. 2014 stickers start with P, while 2015s start with Z.

Chris Cargill reports that California's Black with Yellow letter plates are coming back as a special issue, and will be issued similar to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe plates (special order, etc). The latest word is they will be 6 digits using a Connecticut style numbering sequence (but in reverse letters on either end, numbers in the middle, as above), such as A12 34B. We'll see if that sequence sticks when they hit the road.

Commercial

9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, and 9F are part of a series used for tractor-trailers. These plates are found only on tractors, not standard light pickups.

Low: 9A04976 on the 1987 base.

9F52984 is the Tractor high with the DMV web on the bottom, spotted in Ontario, CA on 2016-02-19.

California was expecting to run out of Commercial plates in the current format in August 2008 at 8Z99999, but current indications are that it will be much later, possibly as late as July 2009. The next format will be 00000A1 with the last digit staying constant as before. After 99999A1 will be 00000B1. After 99999Z1 will be 00000A2.

Moped

Motorcycle

Note: 21A through 29B (all the A and B prefixes from 21-29 were issued) were issued as blue cycles in the late 80s. 20A has been verified. 20B has also been verified on the current base. Next, will they issue any prefixes between 21 and 29, or just go to 30A? The DMV has never issued a zero in the 2nd position. There are no 10A-10Z prefixes. They started at 11A and 21A previously.

Low: 11E5389

From Scott Broady: After 20Z9999, cycles go to 21C0000. They skip A and B due to these having been issued in the 1980s on blue cycles. They will go from C to Z for every one of the 20's from this point forward.

Franky Hernandez notes that the 21L series is using a narrower die with wider numbers and letters.

Arts

Coastal Protection

According to the Los Angeles Times, the redesigned Whale Tail plate is set to debut August 2, 2011. The current plate is being retired in the wake of a dispute with artist Wyland, who created the original design. The new design is in use, which appears similar to the discontinued Wyland design except that the tail is not as wide and is drawn at an angle.

1VDZ316 was the original design, but 1VDZ559 was reported on the new design. However, 1VDY714 was reported on the new design, so there must have been some switching back and forth between the designs briefly.

Tony Patti - 23 Jul ’18

Coastal Protection Truck

Ex-Prisoner of War

Firefighter

The California Firefighter license plate can only be issued to a currently registered vehicle owned by an active or retired California firefighter. The fees collected from these plates (which vary depending on if the plates are sequential or personalized) are deposited in the California Firefighters Memorial Fund, which was created and is sponsored by California Professional Firefighters (CPF).

Willie C. Brock, Jr. - 23 Nov ’15

Gold Star Family

Honoring Veterans

This is a new type available to the general public. It is not necessary to be a veteran to get it. The plate has a red stripe across the bottom with "HONORING VETERANS" as the legend. There is a space to the left of the registration numbers for a decal for different branches of the military. This plate replaced the original Veteran plate listed below, and it is now the only type of Veteran plate.

This license plate replaces the previous plate and was touted as a redesign in the media. The previous plate with the red and blue stripes across the bottom with the word VETERAN is no longer issued but can be revalidated.

Legacy (1963 style)

1963 colors of yellow/orange on black, but with a black reflective background.

These apparently started with B in the first position. No A plates have been seen. All plates reported so far have had zero (0) in the last position.

From Chris Cargill: It appears the numbers after the first letter and the second letter advance. I've yet to see one with something other than a zero in the last position. I'm guessing these may have started at B001A0 progressed to B999A0, then to B001B0, and so on. Though I have no official confirmation, it seems to be the logical progression.

Legacy Motorcycle plates are in the same format, but beginning with C.

Motorcycle high: C125U0 2015-07-14 Jake Bear Spotted in San Diego.

Jon Miller - 2 Jul ’18

Legion of Valor

Liberty Bell

CALIFORNIA embossed at top, graphic of the Liberty Bell (in red) separating the numbers and "US" with blue screened 1791 BILL OF RIGHTS 1991 at the bottom. This is one of the rarest plates in California.

Chad reports 0598 US on a Prius 2009-12-09, so it has obviously been reassigned.

Yosemite Truck

From Andy Smith: Not sure if these are still being issued; they were originally issued to match the current truck-format plates, with a number, letter, then 5 numbers, but with the same Yosemite background as the passenger plates.